A 24-year-old Ipswich care worker accused of sexually assaulting a woman  has been convicted in his absence after he failed to attend his trial.

Passing a three year jail sentence on Mihai Preda at Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley said he had carried out a " campaign of sexual violence" against the woman, who he'd met through his work.

She said that Preda had touched the woman, simulated sexual intercourse and had lifted her off the ground by her neck making it difficult for her to breathe.

She said Preda, who is believed to have returned to Romania, had deliberately absented himself from his trial and would be arrested if he attempted to return to the UK.

In addition to jailing him, Judge Talbot-Hadley ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely if he returned to the UK.

Preda of Bramford Road, Ipswich, denied five offences of sexually assaulting the woman and one offence of assaulting her by beating.

The offences were allegedly committed on February 17 2022.

A jury found him guilty of three offences of sexual assault and one of common assault and cleared him of two offences of sexual assault.

Miss May said that after his arrest Preda claimed he had been play fighting with the woman and denied sexually assaulting her.

She said Preda admitted he had told the alleged victim that he really liked her and “wanted her” but said he had been joking.

He denied being sexually attracted to the woman and denied touching her breasts and bottom.

Jennifer Morris for Preda said he had no previous convictions.